BELLY old mate, I'm not sure whether you were 'cutting' me loose from your list of friends. Nonetheless, I always value you as a friend, even though we often have a different view. You speak of truth. Not all of those on the 'Left' speak the truth, neither do those on the 'Right'. Sometimes we all say things we believe is the truth when in reality it's just a version of what's true at any given time. Truth can't always be quantified, nor nailed down precisely. As human beings, we all try to be truthful when dealing with others, except when lying suits a higher purpose.

I remember years ago I was sitting beside the hospital bed of this young fella' aged in his early twenties. He was in Prince Henry Hospital, and he was in my custody for a string of 'busts' and a high risk of bolting (or he was previously anyway). He was very very ill, and not expected to last beyond the night. He looked up at me and asked 'boss I'm going to be okay?' putting his hand out to mine? I said in my most cheery voice sure, why do you think they've got a guard on you? In less than a couple of minutes, he was dead. I was there only to get his precise time of death for our records. A few of my group asked me later, why didn't I tell him the truth? He might have made further admissions? Yeah, on 'busts' okay, good luck with that! Anyway sometimes lying can be preferable to the truth in my view. He died without any one of his family knowing, or being present.

"I would say the line should be drawn when the slurring of another posters character occurs."

On the other hand, if someone is acting like an idiot should I not them so?
Am I not doing them a disservice by not telling them?

I think if others say or do something stupid, then I have a right or a duty to point it out.

Making fun of others stupidity is a non-violent form of correction,
It serves to give them humility in the hope they learn from previous stupidity and refrain from saying or doing the same stupid thing again in the future.

What do you think happens if we do not call it out when others say and do stupid things?
What happens when we give stupidity a lifetime free pass?

Welcome to 2019 Australia where 'taking the piss' is now considered Un-Australian

- And people wonder why I say there is no national democracy in a 2 party system when one of the parties is effectively an immigrant platform;
That what we have is international democracy being imposed upon nation states.

Please stop helping to make my country unrecognizable to me.
There really is no reason for people to go out of their way to help screw this country up any worse than it already is.

Interesting post!
Take it easy.
SD

AC,

" ..... in the hope they learn from previous stupidity and refrain from saying or doing the same stupid thing again in the future".

Do you reckon that happens? I can't say that I have noticed any posters changing tack because their views have been criticised. It's the same with these people who claim to have been bullied - they keep on coming back for more, even when there is no actual bullying; which suggests that they are in permanent need of something and someone to complain about. It might seem weird to most of us, but there are people who have a predilection for permanent victimhood and offence taking. As has been said many times, it takes all sorts.

"It takes all sorts." I guess that is what makes life so interesting, the variety of views and opinions. I would be rather boring if we all came out of the same mould.
Take it easy.
SD

Hey ttbn,
"Do you reckon that happens? I can't say that I have noticed any posters changing tack because their views have been criticised."

I think your probably right in that no-one really seems to stray too far from their own entrenched beliefs and positions, irrelevant of whatever new information is provided to them.
I do think that calling it out when people say stupid and irrational things probably does have a follow on effect of making people think twice about the stupid stuff they're planning on writing before they post it;
But that also means that some more timid posters might feel intimidated and not comment at all.

- And I wouldn't want to deliberately make anyone on the forum feel like that, as we all have a right to have our say.

There's pro's and cons to every issue,
I suppose my argument is simply that humility itself is not without some benefit.
But I know it can be misused or overused and have a negative and detrimental impact on those whom don't possess a thicker skin.

As for NathanJ's concerns, I've previously made harsh and blunt responses to the threads he's started, but I'm glad he feel he can share his concerns with us and hope I haven't made him feel like I'm deliberately bulling him.